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The project, titled “41,415 Straws,” is a vibrant, modular installation created from recycled plastic drinking straws. In a fusion of sustainability and design, this temporary structure reimagines one of the most ubiquitous disposable items, transforming it into an immersive spatial experience.
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Measuring 3 meters in width, 2.75 meters in height, and 11.4 meters in length, the work is assembled using custom-designed laser cut connector fittings. Each straw, measuring 25 centimeters in length, is arranged in a square-on-diagonal offset grid that repeats linearly. The resulting assembly - constructed from precisely 41,415 plastic straws in shades of red, yellow, orange, white, and clear - takes the form of a substantial prism-like volume, with varying degrees of material density and shade intensity that shift depending on the viewer’s position. The layered grid system enables the visual perception of thousands of straws at once, offering a complex visual experience within a simple, modular framework.
From a distance at night, the installation appears as a luminous field, with material density and shade intensity fluctuating based on angle and light. Up close, the straws oscillate between order and chaos, forming a mesh that feels both delicate and monumental. There is a constant push and pull between fragility and scale, order and randomness. The closer you look, the more the installation plays with your perception. As light passes through the layers of colored and clear plastic, it seems to shift and shimmer, balancing moments of symmetry with bursts of irregularity. It is both precise and unpredictable at once.
The installation is conceived as a traveling exhibition, designed to be reconstructed in various public spaces, enlivening them and engaging viewers in new and unique ways. The structure’s slide-in joint system ensures the structural integrity of the large-scale installation while also enabling easy disassembly and convenient transport, making the entire installation fully recyclable. This mobility suggests the potential for the work to engage diverse audiences across different locations.
The work also serves as a visceral commentary on the environmental impact of single-use plastics, inviting dialogue on responsible consumption. The project exemplifies how thoughtful design can transform everyday objects into powerful mediums of artistic expression, encouraging viewers to reconsider the materials that permeate their daily lives.
Lawrence Kim is a Professor of Architecture at Pusan National University. He is also an architect and the director of A+U LAB, an interdisciplinary design and research studio. A+U LAB engages in a diverse range of work that spans various scales and typologies, including architecture, urban design, interiors, installations, and research projects.
